Hedonism Blended Grain Scotch Whisky CB Limited Annual Release (Compass Box)

Hedonism launched Compass Box in 2000 and made grain whisky something to be prized. Each year the house releases a Limited Annual edition, drawing on older and scarcer casks of single grain Scotch than the regular bottling. This release, of 9912 bottles, gathers well aged grain from distilleries such as Cameronbridge, the oldest and largest grain plant in Scotland.

The component grains were distilled in continuous column stills and matured in American oak for many years, the extra age giving more depth than the standard Hedonism. The light grain turns deep and oily over time, the oak drawing out vanilla, coconut and toffee. Married and bottled without chill filtration or colour. Compass Box is known for naming its components openly and for treating grain whisky with the same care as malt.

At 46% it is rich and creamy, vanilla, coconut and crème brûlée over an oily body, with vanilla fudge, candied lemon and a polished oak depth into a long, sweet finish. The deepest expression of Compass Box's benchmark grain whisky. Grain from Cameronbridge and its peers, the great Lowland grain distilleries, gives the annual release its depth.